Review - 4/5 Regal to Hawaii Part 1

We had looked forward to this cruise for forever! Our neighbors gave us a Bon Voyage party on 4/2, we packed 4/3, and left for the airport at 4:45 am on 4/4. JAX to DFW to LGB --easy flight; we were in LGB by 2:00 pm. We had reservations at the Hyatt Regency LGB (made thru priceline for $55) but no shuttle service. The fixed rate for a taxi is $17 from airport to hotel, although the meter read close to $25. Hotel was nice (as expected), and as soon as we checked in we headed out to the Harbor for a meal. We ate at Tequila Jack's -- OK Mexican food but the margaritas have very little tequila in them. We walked around this area and window shopped, just killing time. We wnet back to the hotel and checked again with the airport, as our main bag had gone to KC instead of LGB. It came around midnight, so thank goodness we went a day early!

Taxi to the port about 11:30, I think the fare was about $35. A long line had formed, but in true Princess style it did not take too long to embark. Our room, outside B297, was just fine -- our room steward was Micki from Romania. She was headed home after this cruise and her mind wasn't on service, but she did her job. There was a complimentary bottle of wine awaiting us from Kim, as well as 2 comp casual photos. Off we went to explore the ship and have lunch at the buffet (Casa del Sol).

We found the Regal to be a fine ship, and we never had a moment when we didn't have an activity to entertain us if we so chose. I did not notice the ship's decor to be dated as some have mentioned, but then I prefer traditional to glitz anyway.

We had opted for a large table at late seating, but when we went to dinner we were the only ones at a table for 6, for several nights in a row. Renzo, the maitre d, approached us with a request from the 30-40 Phillipino Americans at the tables close by that we share our table with a couple and a child from their group that did not get seated with them. Renzo offered to move us, but we were quite happy with Dwight's and Daniel's service, so we shared the table. The other 4 absent diners were moved to another table. The Phillipino-American group were active, always having fun with jokes and songs. Whenever anyone in the dining room had a special occasion, they sang too, and by the end of the cruise the entire dining room was singing along. Meeting new people is part of what makes the cruise fun, and we enjoyed our new friends.

We met the Cruise Critic group in The Dome on the first full sea day as arranged previously. Bob-A-Loo, cindiemark, cruzngirl, BalloonDude, and skeptic 24x7 were at the meeting. It was great putting faces to names, and we saw these people thru-out the cruise. We even formed a CC entry for the scrap heap competition, so we met with the CC group quite often.

The seas were rocking & rolling, but not as bad as the cruise before us. We had sunny weather for the most part, and most people did not get seasick. The temperature came as a big surprise to me! I packed as if going to the Caribbean and I should have packed less warm weater clothing and more cool weather things -- like a jacket and long pants. The first 2 sea days out were cool and windy, then day 3 & 4 warmed up and we got a start on our tan.

We did a lot of reading and relaxing, but there were plenty of activities if that is what you wanted. We did a little of both, and finally made it to Afternoon Tea as well. And we spend a great deal of time with Bobbi, Cindie, Mark & Ginger, when they weren't in the casino. Cindie won over $8,000 on a previous cruise.

The shows were good and new to us, so we went to the International Show Lounge each evening for the 10:15 show immediately after dinner. We also dropped in to the kareoke(Princess Idol competition) in the Bengal Lounge, and the trivia games every once in a while. The piano player in the Adagio Lounge sounded good, but too sedate for us.

A few last minute details: A soda card costs $35, and the tumbler is a red metal Coke cylinder with a drink-thru lid.

Feel free to ask questions, as I have drawn a blank on whatever else I was going to say.

Part 2 will be the islands. I am afraid to push the computer too far as I've had trouble posting today. Sure hope I don't lose this one!

Gloria

Grand Princess, Eastern, April 2001

Grand Princess, Western,April 2002

WE"RE BACK!Regal to Hawaii, April 5, 2004

[This message was edited by GloriaF on 04-23-04 at 06:02 PM.]

Can't wait for Part II.

Glad you liked the Regal - I think I would like the ship. I also seem to like traditional to glitz.

I need to clarify that we were pleased with our room steward, Micki. When my husband read what I had posted he thought I had been too critical of her, and I did not mean to imply that she didn't treat us well. In fact, she brought us wine glasses and crunchy snacks one evening, and shared a suite eucalyptus bath gel perk with me.

Coral, glad you enjoyed it. Part 2 is almost ready.

Gloria

Grand Princess, Eastern, April 2001

Grand Princess, Western,April 2002

WE"RE BACK!Regal to Hawaii, April 5, 2004

Hi GloriaF,

We will be taking the Island Princess in October which will take over for the Regal. I'm wondering what the Ensenada stop is like? Is it just an hour as indicated or can you leave the ship and spend the day touring Ensenada? The brochure shows this as a 6th port; but, if you don't leave the ship, I would not count it as such. I am enjoying your review and looking forward to hearing about the Islands.

Thanks

Enjoying your review, as we'll be on the Island Princess doing this itinerary on Dec.20.

Can't wait to read part 2.

Minette

npbcruiser,

The Ensenada stop is nothing! The ship drops anchor and the officials board the ship, sign the necessary papers to prove we've been to a foreign port (Jones Act, see below)and off we go. It happeded about 6PM, so it was daylight and you could see land, but no disembarking. The ship then follows the Mexican & Californian coast up to San Pedro.

Now, the Jones Act in a nutshell: there is a law that states all ships carryng foreign flags (not registered in the US) must visit a foreign port if leaving from a US port before returning to a US port. Our Captain said we stop for 15-20 minutes, pay them $20K, they sign the papers, and we're done. The Jones Act has been discussed extensively on this board in the past, and there are those that can explain it much better than me, but my explanation is probably enough to make you understand.

Gloria

Grand Princess, Eastern, April 2001

Grand Princess, Western,April 2002

WE"RE BACK!Regal to Hawaii, April 5, 2004